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At a glance: Jehovah’s Witness beliefs, history in Germany

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:08 GMT

Several people were killed and injured Thursday night after shots were fired inside a building where Jehovah’s Witnesses met in the northern German city of Hamburg, officials said. The international Christian denomination founded in the United States has a more than 100-year history in Germany. Today, about 170,000 members call the European country home, according to the denomination’s website.The denomination itself dates back to the 19th century. It was founded by Charles Taze Russell, a minister from Pittsburgh. Now headquartered in Warwick, New York, it claims a worldwide membership of about 8.7 million. Members are known for their evangelistic efforts including knocking on doors and distributing literature in public squares.Here is a quick look at the international denomination’s beliefs and their history in Germany:— In Germany, there are about 2,020 Jehovah’s Witness congregations and 170,491 ministers. One in 498 Germans practice the faith, according to the denomination’s we...

The Master at Work: Tracking a storm with Tom Skilling

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:08 GMT

As WGN TV celebrates 75 years, we’re looking back with a series of stories on the history and the memoriesCHICAGO — Tom Skilling has reported the weather from the peaks of Alaska to the valleys of Southern Nevada. He has chased tornados and testified before Congress. He’s been awarded three honorary doctorate degrees and earned a place in pop culture as a character on Netflix’s animated series Chicago Party Aunt. “He is a legendary weatherman,” Rick Morris, an associate dean and professor at Northwestern University’s School of Communication, said. “He’s really smart.  He knows his stuff.”Skilling’s folksy demeanor, authoritative delivery and reassuring presence have been constants on Channel 9 for for nearly 45 years. He arrived at WGN on 1978 from WITI-TV in Milwaukee. In a WGN press release he was touted as “the top-rated meteorologist on Milwaukee television.”Skilling’s genuine charm and affability have made him one of the most beloved WGN employees in the station’s 75-year ...

Houstonian sentenced to 60 years in for fatally stabbing girlfriend from Dallas

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:08 GMT

HOUSTON-- A 64-year-old Houston man with a history of violence was sentenced to 60 years this week. He was convicted for fatally stabbing his girlfriend as she tried to leave him to go back to Dallas, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said Wednesday.The most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is when they are trying to leave the relationship. That is exactly why we take any and all allegations of domestic violence so seriously.Harris County District Attorney Kim OggKenneth B. Howard, was convicted of murder by a jury on Monday. He was then sentenced by a judge in the fatal stabbing of 37-year-old Pamela D. Pratt on July 12, 2019. Pratt was a mother of three who was in a dating relationship with Howard. Howard persuaded Pratt to move to Houston from Dallas.Authorities said that during their relationship, Howard shot at Pratt’s 18-year-old son and was on bond for that charge when he committed the murder. In 1984, he was also convicted of stabbing his ex-wife seven ...

Girls basketball: Eagan upsets Rosemount to earn first state title berth

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:08 GMT

Wednesday and Thursday were second trimester final exam days at Eagan and Rosemount high schools. But for the girls basketball team at each District 196 school, only the classroom tests were over when the last afternoon bell rang.The Wildcats passed another Thursday night, meaning they will be playing when the third trimester begins next week.​Drew Buslee scored 21 points as Eagan upset Rosemount, 63-52, in the Class 4A, Section 3 championship game on Thursday night in Rosemount.“We just played for each other,” Buslee said. “We earned it. We deserve to go to state.”For the first time in school history.Class 4A action begins Wednesday at Williams Arena. Tournament brackets are to be announced Saturday.“I don’t have any words. It’s my first year on varsity. It’s just amazing to be a part of it,” said Jocelyn McClary. She and Madi McCullum each added 14 points for the second-seeded Wildcats (19-10). Eagan has won seven of eight.Rosemount beat Eagan by 12 and 15 points during the regula...

NCAA women’s hockey: Minnesota Duluth bounces Clarkson, 2-0

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:08 GMT

Minnesota Duluth senior defenseman Taylor Stewart scored twice and fifth-year senior goaltender Emma Soderberg recorded yet another shutout as the No. 7-seeded Bulldogs advanced in the NCAA tournament with a 2-0 victory over No. 9 Clarkson on Thursday at Ridder Arena.Stewart scored in the first and third periods, while Soderberg stopped all 16 shots she faced for her school-record 12th shutout of the season and school-record 23rd of her career.The Bulldogs now face No. 2 Minnesota at 2 p.m. Saturday back at Ridder in a rematch of the 2022 regional final that UMD won in Minneapolis. Saturday’s winner will play in the NCAA Frozen Four next week at Amsoil Arena in Duluth.Clarkson was called for two five-minute majors, both late in periods. Freshman wing Sena Catterall was called for a standalone major for boarding in the final minute of the first while junior wing Anne Cherkowski — the Golden Knights’ leading goal scorer who began her college career a Minnesota — was given a checking-f...

3 men charged in alleged ‘cash-only’ card scam at West St. Paul Target

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:08 GMT

Three Michigan men were charged Thursday with swindling a Target store in West St. Paul out of $4,500 worth of goods by using phony “cash-only” transaction cards in a scam police say is playing out across the Twin Cities and elsewhere.The men are also suspected of conning Target and Walmart cashiers in five other metro-area cities over the past week, according to police.“We’re pretty confident that it is part of a larger organized crime spree,” West St. Paul Police Chief Brian Sturgeon said Thursday, noting the three suspects are from out of state and that one has felony theft warrants out of Florida and Washington.Officers were called to the Target along South Robert Street just before noon Tuesday on a report of a theft in progress. As officers pulled up, two of the suspected thieves ran — Jaryn Edreece Turner, 19, and Jamarius Darionta Murray, 18, while the third, JW Marshall Keel, 19, hid under a car in the store’s parking lot. All three were arrested.From left: Jaryn Edre...

Spire says it’s not affiliated with company offering utility bill match

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:08 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Spire says it’s not affiliated with a company offering to match the amount you pay on your gas bill.A company called Evolving Resolutions said it will double what you pay towards your Spire bill and directs you to its website with a QR code. Spire wants you to know it is not connected to the “match what you pay” program being advertised.“We’ve looked into it. We do not have a relationship with this company," said Jason Merrill with Spire. "If folks did get this, what we would encourage anyone who is concerned about paying their bill is to contact us.”  Police: Accused Schnucks shooter has medical condition, may be with girlfriend Records from the Missouri Secretary of State showed Lawrence Mosely created the limited liability company in 2020, stating its purpose was to “provide a public service." In 2021, the company was registered with the Florida Secretary of State. Mosely and his Florissant, Missouri, address are listed as authorized to manage the LLC. Evo...

Woman recounts near-death experience after rocks thrown onto car

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:08 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Be careful, drivers! Several cars on Interstate 64 have been hit by rocks thrown from the Hampton Avenue overpass. The latest victim speaks out after the near-death experience that shattered her safety.Kristen Edgeworth was driving home from work on Wednesday around 6:30 p.m. on I-64 when an object suddenly struck her car from above."When we got to the Hampton overpass, a rock slammed into the front of our car, slid up the hood, hit the windshield, and bounced off,” Edgeworth said. Police: Accused Schnucks shooter has medical condition, may be with girlfriend She said her car's hood was damaged and one of her headlights was broken, costing her time and money."In hindsight, I was like, this could have killed us. It was very lucky that I didn't lose control of the car," Edgeworth said. "It was very lucky that if I have been going any faster, it could've gone through the windshield."She held the rock she believes hit her car."It was the only sizable rock, and I knew it wa...

Police search for more victims after man charged with child sex crimes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:08 GMT

WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. - A Webster Groves man is charged with sexually abusing a girl, and detectives believe there could be more victims.The Webster Groves Police Department is asking the public to report any interactions they have had with Aaron Pratt.Pratt, 41, faces several charges, including statutory rape of a child under the age of 14, sexual exploitation of a minor, and possession of child pornography. Police: Accused Schnucks shooter has medical condition, may be with girlfriend Webster Groves Police Lt. Jillian McCoy said the charges are new, but that the alleged acts date back a few years. The victim, a minor and a Webster Groves resident, recently came forward. McCoy said her department is confident that there is at least one other victim.She is asking for parents to discuss the matter with their children, to determine whether they have had any interaction with Pratt.“Maybe they've visited their homes, or maybe they’re friends with [this] particular individual," McCoy sai...

Windsor whips Glenwood Springs in Class 5A girls Final 4, 65-35, to return to title game for third straight year

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:08 GMT

Karin Nicholls bounded into the already raucous Windsor huddle after the Wizards whipped Glenwood Springs, 65-35, in the Class 5A Final 4 to advance to the program’s third straight title game.“Let’s go!” she screamed at her team. “One more! One more!”Make no mistake, this season it’s always been about the final game for Windsor, which took runner-up to Mullen in the Class 4A final the past two seasons. The Wizards believe the third time’s the charm at the Denver Coliseum, and are determined to go home Saturday with the program’s second crown and first since 1994.“We’re tired of taking home the silver trophy — we want the gold,” senior Raegan Johnson said. “There’s nobody that wants it more than every single person in our locker room.”The Wizards jumped on the Demons early, using constant pressure and an edge in size to take a 10-point lead after the first quarter. Glenwood Springs settled...